Engine-starter



v BENDlX. ENGFINE STARTER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 25. I9l6.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

"w 11 rt mfq'cppgs WM 23 K Minx/6224 07" ent No. 1,172,864, dated February 22, 1916, 1

- directly-bythe motor and the pinion screw-' UNITED 'srrATns. rAtrEnT OFFICE.

VINCENT BENDIX, OI CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

mrenm-sran'rnn. I

which starters are'characterizcd by a prime mover such as an electric motor, and a transmlssion or drive for transmitting the power of the motor by'means of a rotatable screw shaft and a pinion mounted thereon, to a member-of the engine to be started, such as the fly wheel thereof. This drive comprises a screw shaft operated either directly or mthreaded on such shaft and having longitudinal movement thereon and rotary movement therewith.

. My invention pertains to a novel and eflicient construction of suchv t pe of starter whose advantages will be ma e apparent. by the description hereinafter given.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an electric starting motor with my transmission or drive applied thereto,

. some of the parts being shown in ele vFig. 2 a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in, thedirection of the arrows 5 and Fig. 3 a'd-iagrammatic view of the electrical circuits concerned with my device as shown.

The prime mover is an electric motor here shown more or less diagrammatically. at 1 and provided with a hollow armature shaft 2 having bearings 3 and 4 in op osite ends of the motor casing. A rotata 1e screwshaft-5 extends axially through the armature shaft; and projects at either end thereof, one end'being' provided with screw threads 5* on which is mounted a inion 6.' One end of the'hollow armatures aft2 is extended beyond the motor case and its bearings'and there provided with a,collar 7. here shown as screwed on such extended" end of. the ar-. mature shaft. This collar and consequently the: armature shaft is operatively connected with the rotatablescrewsh'aft 5b aresilient driving. connection which 1s here shownas a-coiled spring 8 encircling the Specification of Letters Patent.

I Application filed September 25, 1916. Serial No. 121,952.

pin 15.

Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

outer extended end of such screw shaft-and anchored at oneend of the collar 7 by means of the bolt 9 and at its other end-to a collar 10 which is pinnedto the shaft 5 by'means of the bolt or pin 11. By these means the rotary movement of the armature is transmitted by a yielding driving connection to the rotatable screw shaft 5. At the other end of the armature shaft is arranged an adjusting nut or collar 12 screw-threaded upon the screw-shaft just in rear of the screwthreaded portion 5, such nutbeing adapted to assist in retaining the armature shaft in proper position and to take up any possible plaly between the parts. 7

he pinion 6 is adapted to mesh with a part of the engine to be started, swch asthe teeth-13" of the fly wheel 13. When the electricmotor'is operated the power is transmitted from the armature shaft through the spring 8 to the rotatable screw shaft 5 with the result that the pinion '6 is caused to automatically travel or advance longitudinally of the screw shaft and inwardly toward the motor intoengagement with the fly wheel .teeth, to thelposition shown in the dotted lines. The nut 12 also acts as 'a stop nut With the result that the pinion cannot travel longitudinally after coming in contact there.

.with and hence takes up the rotary movement of its screw shaft, thereby turnin the fly wheel and starting the engine. on the engine, such as agas engine, starts on its own power the pinion is automatically 'de-- I meshed by being moved outwardly longitudinally of the screw shaft-and out of mesh with the fly wheel and back to the home 0- sition shown in .full lines in Fig. 1. he

pinion is stopped in this latter 'position by it means of the collar '14 secured to the outer- I end of the screw 'shaft' by means of the In order to assure the longitudinal movement of the-pinion 6 and at the same time provide an automatic switch device, a strap or yoke, lfi-i'isadapted to fitin' a circular grgove. 6'. ink-the pinion. Thi sf' yoke. hasfa pair, ofa' pvvardly extending arallel z'arms 16' ada ted to shdeoi'jmovea ongo'pposite 7 sides 0 aplate 17 dependin g YfromYJhe bracket 18 which ,issecured to one end' of the motor casing] Oiione side of this plate -are arrang'ed the'twdf contact oints 19"ar- 1 ranged in the electiil calc ircuit lustrate'd by Fig. 3 comprising a porthm of .the main ciicuit in which the electrical starting motor is interposed. When the starting switch indicatedat 20 is operated 'the current is supplied to the electric motor through the wires 21 and when the pinion reaches its meshed position with respect to the fly wheel the current is-kept supplied to the electric motor through the other set of wires 22 in which the co'ntacts 19 are directly interposed with the result that even though the operator breaks the connection at the starting of the switch or button 20 the current will still be 4 supplied to the starting motor. However,

when the pinion is automatically demeshed in the manner already explained the connection is broken at the contacts 19 and the current will be cut off from the electric motor. The fit of the yoke'16 on-the inion is such as to afford some friction whic in connection with the inertia of the pinion is sufficlent to assure the longitudinal movement of the pinion on the screw shaft under all. conditions of service.

I claim:

'- 1. In combination with an electric start-' ing motor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end and power-transmitting means interposed between said armature shaft and apart of theengine to bestarted, said means including a shaft passing through the armature shaft -and at one end operativoly connected with such armature shaft-- and at its other. end having a driving member adapted-to operatively engage said engine part. f

2. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature shaft is hollow .from end to end and power-transmitting means inter-posed between such armature shaft and a part of the engine to be started. said means including a driving member eX- tending through the shaft and adapted-to transmlt the power of the motor from one end of the armature shaft to the engine part at the other end thereof. 3. In combination with an electric startmg motor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end and power-transmitting means interposed between such armature shaft and a part of the engine to be started,

said means includin a driving shaft extend lng through the armature shaft and operatively connected therewith, said driving shaft being mounted for rot'arial movement with the armature shaft and longitudinal movement with respect thereto;

4. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature shaft is hollow y from end to end and transmission means interposed between such armature shaft and a part ofthe engine to be started andhaving a power transmitting portion extending through and supported by the shaft for 'rotarial-movemont therewith and 1ongit11- dinal movement thereof and operatively connected at one end with the armature shaft and having at its other end a driving membe! adapted to operatively engage said engine art.

5. n combination witli anelectric starting motor. whose" armature shaft is hollow from end to end and power-transmitting means interposed between such armature.

shaft and a part of the engine to be started and extending on opposite sides of the motor, said means including a shaft extend ing. through the armature shaft and operatively connected at one end to such armature shaft and adapted to transmit power through its length to the other end thereof.

6. In combination with an electric startingmotor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end and power-transmitting shaft. and a part of the engine to be started,

said means including a driving portion extending through the shaft and adapted to transmit the power of the motor from one end of the armature shaft to theengine part at the other end thereof and a yielding driving connection between said portion and the Harmature shaft.

'8. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end and power-transmitting means interposed between such armatureof the engine to be started,

' shaft and apart sh-aft extending said means including a through the armatureshaft and extending therebeyond, and hayin on one end a driving member',adanted to engageand drive such engine part, and a spring driving connection between the armature shaft and the other end-of the other shaft.

9'. In combination with an electric start- I ing motor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end, a shaft arranged within thearmature shaft and operatively connected therewith, ,and a driving member ar-- ranged on the second-named shaft and adapted, as a result of the rotation ofthe motor, to part of the engine to be started.

10. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end, a shaft arranged within the armature shaft and operatively connect- .ed therewith at one end, and a driving membe automatically engaged with'a named shaft and adapted, as a result of the rotation of the motor, to be automatically engaged with a part of the engine to be started.

11. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature shaft is-hollow from end to end and power-transmittingmeans interposed between such armature shaft and a part of the engine to be started, said means including a member passing through the armature shaft and at one end operatively connected therewith, and a member at the other end of the first-named member arranged to engage and drive said engine part.

12. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature shaft is hollow from end to end and power-transmitting means interposed between such armature shaft and a part of the engine to be started and normally disengaged therefrom, said means including a driving. shaft passing through the armature shaft and at one end operatively connected therewith, and a pinion arranged on the other end of and rotarily driven by the driving shaft and adapted to engage and drive said engine part.

13'; In combination with an electrie'starting motor whose armature shaft ishollow.

. from end to end and power-transmitting operatively connected with the armaturemeans interposed between such armature shaft and a part of the engine tobe started and normally disengaged therefrom, said means including a screw-threaded member shaft, and a pinion screw-threaded on said member and capable of longitudinal .and rotary movements, whereby when said member is rotated the pinion will first be ad vanced longitudinally into mesh with the engine part and then rotated to rotate said part.

14. In combination with an electric starting motor having an armature'provided with a shaft which is hollow from end to end, a rotatable member arran ed within such shaft and operatively connected therewith, and a driving member mounted on such rotatable memberfor rotary movement therewith andlongitudinal'movement with respect tothe armature shaft.

15. In combination with an electric start ing motor having an armatu re provided with a shaft which is hollow from end to end, a rotatable member arranged within such shaft and operatively connected therewith at one end,.and a. driving member'mounted on such rotatable member at the other end thereof for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof.

16.-In con1bination with an electric starting motor whose armature is provided with a shaft hollow from end to end, a rotatable shaft passing through the hollow shaft and operatlvely connected therewith, such rotatable shaft having a screw-threaded portion pro ecting beyond one end of the hollow ;a shaft hollow from end to end, a rotatable shaft passing through the hollow shaft and shaft, and a pinion mounted on such portion for longitudinal movement thereof and rotary movement therewith 18. In combination with an electric starting motor whose armature is provided with a hollow shaft, a rotatable shaft passing tlll'olgh the hollow shaft and extending bey n operatively connecting one end of the rotatable shaft to the hollow shaft, the other end projecting beyond the hollow shaft having a screw threaded portion, and a driving member mounted on such portion for longiment therewith. 1

19. In combination with an electric starting motor having a hollow armature shaft, a rotatable shaft having screw threads at one end and arranged within and extending beyond the ends of the armature shaft, and a pinion mounted onthe screw-threaded portion of the rotatable shaft for rotary movementtherewith and longitudinal movement thereof, said two shafts being operatively connected. i

20. In combination with an electric start ing motor having a hollow armature shaft, a rotatable shaft having screw threads at one end and arranged within and extending beyond the ends of the armature shaft, a pinion mounted on the screw-threaded. portion of the rotatable shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, and a resilient driving connection between the two shafts.

21. In combination with an electric starting motor havin a hollow armature shaft, a rotatable shaft having screw threads at one end arranged within and extending-beyond the ends of the armature shaft, a pinion mounted on the screw-threaded \portion of the rotatable shaft for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, and a spring forming a driving connection between the two shaftsr I 22. In combination with an electric starting motor having a hollow armature shaft; a rotatable shaft having screw threads at one end arranged within and extending beyond the ends 4 of the armature shaft, a pinion mounted. on the screw-threaded portion of tudinal movement thereof and rotarv' movetherewith and longitudinal movement thereof, and-La spring connecting between the the opposite ends thereof, meansfor therotatable shaft for .rotary' movement armature shaft and the end of the rotatable shaft opposite its screw-threaded end.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric motor, of a rotatable screw shaft supported thereby, a pinion mounted thereon toward one end thereof for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof, and a driving connection between the motor and other end of the screw shaft, said pinion and driving connection being located at opposite ends of the motor.

24. In a device of the character described,

the combination with an electric motor, of.

a rotatable screw shaft supported thereby, a pinion mounted thereon toward one end I thereof for rotary movement therewith and located intermediate the ing connection.

longitudinal movement thereof, and a driving connection between the motor and other end of the screw shaft, said motor being pinion and the driv- 25. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric motor, of a rotatable screw shaft supported thereby,

. a pinion mounted thereon toward one end thereof for rotary movement therewith and longltudinal movement thereof, and a driving connection between the motor and other end of the screw shaft, said pinion and driving connection being located at opposite ends of the motor and said shaft having a yielding longitudinal movement.

26. In a device of the characterdescribed, the combination with an electric motor, of a rotatable screw shaft supported thereby, a pinion mounted thereon toward one end thereof for rotary movement therewith and lon, 9;itudina-l movement thereof, and a yielding driving connection including a spring between the motor and other end of the screw shaft, said pinion and driving connec tion being located at opposite ends of the shaft, and a driving, member mounted on such shaft for rotary movement therewith and ldngitudinal movement thereof.

28. In combination with an electric starting motor and its armature having a hollow center,,a driving head securedto such armature and located at a point'adjacent the m0- tor, a rotatable shaft located in said. hollow center and. extending therefrom, and havng screw-threads on sald extending portion,

a spring-driving connection between said head and shaft, and'a pinion mounted on said screw threads for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof. v v

29. In combination with an electric starting motor and its armature which is provided with a shaft hollow from end to end,

' a driving head secured to the armature, a

rotatable shaft within said hollow shaft, a resilient driving connection between sald head and rotatable shaft, and a driving rotatable shaft within said hollow shaft, a

coiled spring anchored atits ends respectively to said head and rotatable shaft and forming a resilient driving connection between them, and a driving member mounted on such shaft for rotary movement therewith and lon 'itudinal movement thereof. 31. In com ination with an electric startin motor and its armature which is provided with a shaft hollow from end to end, a driving head secured to the armature, a rotatable shaft "within said hollow shaft,- and havinga screw-threaded portion, a driving connection consisting ofa coiled spring connected respectively with said head and shaft, and a pinion mounted on said screwthreaded portion for rotary movement therewith and longitudinal movement thereof.

32. An engine-starter having, in combination, an electric motor provided with a hollow armature-shaft; a drive-shaft extending entirely through and rotatable within the armature-shaft; means providing a drlving-connection between the armature-shaft and one end of the drive-shaft; and means shaft with the engine.

33. An engine-starter having, in combination, an electric motor provided with a hol-v low armature-shaft; a drive-shaft extending entirely through 'and,rotatable within the armature-shaft; means providing adrivingconnection between the armature-shaft and one end of the drive-shaft: and a shiftable pinion for connecting the other end of the drive-shaft with the engine.

34. 'An engine-starter having, in combination, an electric motor provided with a'hollow armature-shaft; a drive-shaft extend. ing through and rotatable within the armature-shaft'; a yielding connection between the armature-shaft and one endof the drive shaft; and means for connecting the other end of the drive-shaft with the engine.

- 35. An engine-starter having, in combinafor connecting the other .end'of the drivetion, an electric motor provided with a hollow armature-shaft a drive-shaft extending through and rotatable within the armatureshaft; a spring connecting the armature- I shaft with one end of the drive-shaft; and positively acting-means forv c'onnectingthe other end of the driv-shaftwith the engine. 36. In an engine starter, the combination, with a hollow drivin shaft, of power transmission means there rom to a member of the engine to be started, such means comprising a driven shaft extending entirely throughthe hollow shaft, a driving connection between two adjacent ends of the two shafts, and a driving connection mounted on the other end of the driven shaft andadapted to cooperate with the engine member.- 7

37. In an eiT 'ine starter, the combination, with a hollow driving shaft, of power transmission means therefrom to a member of the engine to be started, such means comprising a driven shaft extending entirely with a hollow driving shaft, flower trans-t mission means therefrom to a' member of the engine to be started, such means comprising a driven shaft extending entirely through the hollow' shaft, a coiled spring'connected at its ends to two adjacent ends of the two shafts and acting as a driving connection between them and a driving connection mounted on the other endof the driven shaft and adapted to coiiperate with the engine member.

'39. In an englne-starter. the combination,

with a'hollow driving shaft, ofpower trans- .mission means therefrom to a member of the I engine to be Etarted, such means comprising a driven shaft extending entirely through the hollow shaft, driving" heads secured to two adjacent ends of the two shafts,a coiled driving spring encircling the driven shaft and anchored at its ends to the two heads respectively, and a driving connection mounted on the other end of the driven shaft and. adapted to cooperate with the en- F gine member. Y

' VINCENT BENDIX. 

